Toledo couple charged with child endangering

12/21/2004

A Lucas County grand jury yesterday indicted a husband and wife for injuries their 1-year-old daughter suffered last week.

Richard and Manisa Ludaway of 3516 Chase St. were indicted on child endangering charges, Lori Olender, Lucas County assistant prosecutor, said.

Mr. Ludaway, 37, was charged with second-degree child endangering because authorities believe he physically harmed the child, Ms. Olender said. Mrs. Ludaway, 29, is charged with third-degree child endangering for allegedly not coming to the aid of her daughter.

Ms. Olender said the couple took the girl to St. Vincent Mercy Medical Center on Dec. 13 and said they were involved in an auto accident, Ms. Olender said.

Doctors discovered the child had a fractured femur, but the injury was inconsistent with the parents' story, she said. Ms. Olender said Lucas County Children Services and the Toledo police were contacted.

Mr. Ludaway was arrested on Thursday after a police investigation. He remained in the Lucas County jail last night.

"Nothing they said could be confirmed," Ms. Olender said. She declined to give details of the case but said police could not find evidence of the auto accident in which the couple claimed to be involved.

Dean Sparks, executive director of children services, said the child is in custody of a relative.